• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Hornets try to snap skid vs. surging Heat

Nov 8, 2008 - 11:22 AM Miami (3-2) at New Orleans (3-2), 8:00pm EST

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Through the first week of the season, the New Orleans Hornets looked as if they might be the best team in the Western Conference. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, appeared to be more of a long-term project.

Fortunes have reversed over the last few days. The Hornets will try to snap their recent funk and get back on track as they play host to the Heat on Saturday.

After Chris Paul and the Hornets' potent offensive attack looked nearly unstoppable in their 3-0 start, they stumbled with an uncharacteristically flat performance in a home loss to the surprising Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. What appeared like an aberration continued on Friday, as New Orleans fell to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats.

Over the past two games, the Hornets have averaged just 84 points.

The Heat, meanwhile, are winners of two straight - and have shown dramatic improvement on the defensive side of the ball, holding each of their last two opponents to 83 points. They have registered 29 steals over those last two games, with rookie point guard Mario Chalmers snagging a league rookie record nine in Wednesday's win over Philadelphia.

Another major component, naturally, has been the impact of superstar guard Dwyane Wade. Riddled by injuries the last two years, Wade is healthy again - and looks it. Over the last two games, he has collected 62 points, 17 rebounds, 15 assists and eight steals.

New Orleans' own superstar Paul is leading the team with 21.8 points and 11.8 assists per game.